WASHINGTON, DC – Jason Chimera and Jason Arnott scored two minutes apart at the start of the second period as the Washington Capitals claimed a 2-0 win – and, subsequently, a 2-0 series lead – over the New York Rangers on Friday night. The Rangers started brightly and will perhaps feel aggrieved to have not been in front heading in to the first intermission such was their puck control and offensive zone pressure. Caps’ goaltender Michal Neuvirth had to be sharp to deny Ruslan Fedotenko’s quick wrister from the right face-off circle, while Wojtek Wolski’s tame shot from the left side hit the side-netting with Neuvirth down and out. John Tortorella will have known the importance of a first period goal for his team. The Rangers have looked shot-shy to this point, lacking a scoring touch to support Henrik Lundqvist’s excellent play in net. John Carlson and Karl Alzner have worked well as a dependable shutdown pairing for the Capitals, neutralising the Blueshirts’ forwards for much of the series’ two games. For all their first period pressure, a poor opening five minutes at the start of the second would ultimately see the Rangers slip to a 2-0 series deficit. Chimera and Arnott scored in quick succession at the start of the period, Arnott on the powerplay after rookie defenseman Ryan McDonagh’s needless roughing minor had put the Rangers on the penalty kill. The Capitals suffocated the Rangers in the third, sitting back for much of the period while giving the Blueshirts scant opportunity to find a way back in to the game. Michal Neuvirth would complete a 22-save shutout, making just nine of those saves through the final 40 minutes as the Rangers ran out of ideas against a well-drilled opponent. The series moves to New York and Madison Square Garden tomorrow afternoon (3PM ET) for Game 3, a game the Rangers must win if they’re to realistically remain competitive in the series. The Rangers will look to feed off the close nature of the opening two games as they head home – Wednesday’s defeat hinged on an overtime error by Marc Staal while Friday’s loss centered, mostly, on a poor five minutes at the start of the second period. Henrik Lundqvist remains a key factor, but the Rangers need to find some goals moving forward. Contact the author – alex.nunn@prohockeynews.com
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